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BACKGROUND Pharmacology is widely regarded as volatile, discouraging the students to engage in learning the subject. As a result, students adopt a strategist approach by studying the subject near an examination and bunking classes and optional formative assessments. This leads to poor exam performance in pharmacology leading to the discipline earning a reputation of being difficult and boring. We designed this study to incorporate a pharmacology quiz in our curriculum and explore whether it motivates learning. MATERIAL AND METHODS The targeted population (n=353) of this non‐randomized educational intervention trial comprised of BDS year 2 (n=48), as well as MBBS years 2, 3 and 4 students (n=106, 105, 94 respectively). The study comprised of a baseline pre‐quiz (PreQ) pharmacology test, a quiz qualification (QQ) test and a follow‐up post‐quiz (PostQ) test. A knock‐out quiz contest was held between student groups included based on QQ test scores. Subjective feedback was obtained with PreQ and PostQ tests. RESULTS 233 students (67.4% females) participated in PreQ, 194 students (68.4% females) participated in PostQ, whereas 97 appeared in the QQ test. As compared to PreQ an increase was reported in independent (self) study (66.8% to 74.5%) and textbooks use (30% to 46.6%). Figure‐ 1 shows the test scores. A total of 163 students (46.2%, females 113, males 50) were included in the study (n= BDS‐2 34, MBBS‐2 62, MBBS‐3 32, MBBS‐4 35). A total of 46 students had all three test scores available (3‐data points), while 117 students had PreQ and either of QQ or PostQ test scores available (2‐data points). The mean±SD scores did not differ significantly between various tests. The PreQ to PostQ perception of pharmacology changed positively from “Difficult” (42.9% vs. 29.9%) to “Interesting” (37.2% vs. 54.1%). The common underlying reasons for perception are given in Table‐ 11. A total of 194 students gave PostQ feedback, where 136 (70.4%) reported that quiz contest motivated them to study, 84 students had participated in the quiz activity, where 56 had attempted the QQ test and remaining were only audience. Preparation of examination remained their major reason to participate (26.6%) followed by honor/prize (22.8%). The open‐ended comments (Table‐2) were grouped together according to recurring themes. Of note is the decline in their complaint about teaching and a high demand to conduct more quizzes. CONCLUSIONS The quiz activity induces a positive change in students’ perception about pharmacology, and stimulates them to study. Although the short‐term impact on gain of knowledge may not reflect in terms of test scores, students showed enthusiasm to participate, in order to prepare for examinations and achieve honor. Boxplots showing student test scores in Pre‐Quiz, Quiz Qualification and Post‐quiz tests. Graphs 1, 2 and 3 belong to students (n=46) with 3 data points respectively. Graphs 4 and 5 belong to students (n=117) with 2‐data points (PreQ vs QQ or PostQ). 1a: Common reasons underlying perception of pharmacology as...

AIMS: SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) is a potentially lethal disease that may progress into severe respiratory distress syndrome requiring ventilatory support. While azithromycin (AZI) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) are considered similar to placebo in COVID-19, other drugs such as ivermectin (IVER), are being repurposed to treat this pandemic. This study was designed to assess the effects of ivermectin on duration of febrile illness and disease outcomes in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection in a community setting. METHODS: In this case-control study 95 suspected patients of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 were included. The controls (Group-A) received AZI+HCQ for seven days while the cases (Group-B) received IVER+AZI+HCQ for six days. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients were in Group-B, while 54 patients were in Group-A. Group-B had consistently and significantly shorter span of fever on days 5, 7, 10 and 14, where the logistic regression showed IVER as the major (Exp B 49•55; p<0•001) underlying factor. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that Group-A had a prolonged febrile illness (p<0•001). CONCLUSIONS: Ivermectin use is associated with reduced duration of febrile illness in COVID-19 in outpatient setting, thus potentially saving precious lives, reducing direct load on healthcare facilities and preventing high cost of management in a community setting.